viking games

- at an artist kollektiv party


well folks, i have been officially accepted into danish society.  ;)  there is a game of sorts that i had the chance to play last night involving a bunch of danes hammering nails into a slice of tree trunk.  the rules are that you can hit your nail once (straightening is allowed) and then it is the next players turn.  the first player to get his/her nail all the way in wins.  "all the way in" is determined by whether or not a nail (finger nail) can fit between the head of the nail and the wood.  many debates occur over this small detail, as you might imagine.



the next rule is that you are truly allowed one "hit" which could be on anyone's nail...."why," you want to know, "would you choose to hit another players nail? wouldn't that only help that player win?"

here's where the game gets interesting--as if hitting nails into wood doesn't already have you on the edge of your seat! ;)  there are small wagers or rewards that can be made, such as (which is how i played) the winner (1st in) AND loser (last in) have to buy a round for all the players.  then it becomes a matter of strategy, and you want to hit your nail, but if you start to look like you might win, others will "help you out" and you'll end up with an empty wallet.  :)

ps:  i was the 3rd nail in of our 8 players.  free beer anyone?